AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Did you also refuse a marriage?”
“No,” he said. “I’m just an asshole, and no one can stand me.”
“Merrick’s an interesting guy,” Julien said once they were out of earshot.
“He’s obnoxious and weird. And he’s flirting with your assistant.”
“Salena’s not my assistant.”
“Girlfriend? I’ll kill Merrick if you want me to. And even if you don’t, I’ll take any excuse at this point.”
“Not my girlfriend either. Long story.” Julien pointed at an armchair. Remi glanced around. Julien had a lovely little office if rather cramped and messy. Only two chairs and a desk graced the room, which he’d decorated with old French cinema posters. He sat on a cushioned bench across from her, a curtained window behind him. “I’m guessing you didn’t hire Merrick for his knowledge of Thoroughbred racing.”
“Or his charm. And not his face or body either, despite all the rumors about us. Most days I ask myself why I hired him. I haven’t come up with a good answer yet. Although he helped me find you.”
“Did he?”
“His brain is like a computer, and he’s happy to do anything I ask him to do especially if it’s immoral or unethical—like bribing a housekeeper for your address.”
“Why did you want to find me? And will I regret asking that question?” Julien grinned at her and she couldn’t help but grin back. Stop grinning like an idiot, Remi. She was going to scare the boy if she didn’t stop grinning.
“Probably,” she admitted, forcing the smile off her face. This was business, not pleasure. “I’m here because something’s rotten in the state of Kentucky. And I think our families might be involved.”
One Kiss, Two Kiss, Red Kiss, Blue Kiss
Remi laid everything out for Julien as clearly and concisely as she could. His parents had just dropped ten million dollars on yearlings. Her parents suddenly had ten million dollars to blow on a five-hundred acre second farm. The private feud between the Capital Hill Brites and the Arden Farm Montgomerys had gone public this year, and it was the only story the racing press cared about. At the end of October, a Verona Downs Stakes race would take place. Six horses were entered. Shenanigans and Hijinks were the favorites. The feud and the Stakes race had even made the cover of Sports Illustrated. And creepy Tyson Balt had been at her parents’ house and no one would talk about it.
“That doesn’t sound good,” Julien agreed. “I don’t know much about the farm, but I do know last winter Dad said they only had the funds for four million on yearlings.”
“I triple-checked. They bought twenty-two yearlings for five million and then bought a four broodmares and four stallions—ten million total. And my parents paid cash for the farm—no mortgage. And for four years our little feud has been just between our families—and anyone who was at the Christmas party at The Rails that night. Now it’s all over the news. They act like we’re the Hatfields and McCoys of horse-racing.”
“Did the article mention us specifically?” Julien asked.
“No, thank God,” she said. “Although it’s only a matter of time before the story comes out. The article just quotes a rumor that the feud started as a lovers’ quarrel.”
“They can’t call it a lovers’ quarrel if the two lovers didn’t get to be lovers.”
Remi grimaced. “Better than saying the twenty-two year-old manager of Arden Farms seduced the Brites’ youngest son who was in high school.”
“I have a very old soul,” he said. Remi laughed and buried her face in her hands. Between her fingers she peeked at him. “And my very old soul was dying to have sex with you that night.”
“You’re not making this any easier,” she told him, lowering her hands.
“Can’t help it. I’d rather talk about us than whatever our parents are into.”
“Us?”
“Well…you know. What happened between us, I mean.”
“Yeah, I’m sorry about that. I should have said that a long time ago.”
“Don’t be sorry. I’m not.”
“I’m glad to hear that. I was worried you might be pissed I just showed up at your door almost four years later asking for help.”
“I’ll help you any way I can, Remi. It’s just…it’s really good to see you again.”
Remi felt the heat in her face again.
